Champ's jersey staked in Tagaytay bikefest

MANILA, Philippines - A national champion’s jersey will be awarded to each of the winners of the massed start and individual time trial races of the PhilCycling’s National Open for Road which kicks off today and tomorrow in Tagaytay City.

The jerseys are in accordance with regulations of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body for cycling which, through its president Pat McQuaid, has recently reaffirmed its recognition of Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino as the legitimate cycling federation president of the PhilCycling.

The national champion will be wearing the champion’s jersey-which is coveted and considered sacred by the global cycling community – in all local and international UCI races he will compete in for the duration of 2010. He is also entitled to UCI points which are necessary for him to be invited to major international races.

The National Open For Road’s massed start event will cover 160 kms on an out-and-back course at the Tagaytay City International Convention Center starting at 9 a.m. today.

The ITT will cover 40 kms and will also start and finish at the TICC beginning at 9 a.m. tomorrow.

Slots on various national teams to UCI races in 2011 will be up for grabs in the National Open, according to Tolentino. These include the April 16 to 19 Le Tour de Filipinas, the Asian Cycling Championships in Thailand in February, the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia in November and the three-leg Track Asia Cup.

Besides the elite, the National Open will also select members of the pool for the Under-23 and Junior (17-under). Because of the absence of a wide base of women riders, a separate division for the category could not be staged, Tolentino said.